Dynamically controlled environmental control system

Abstract

An environmental control system includes a plurality of electronically controlled zone controllers mounted on local VAV boxes for regulating the lighting, temperature and ventilation in a plurality of small zone areas. Each zone controller includes a timer which may be adjusted dynamically to change environmental requirements for zone occupants. A remote master computer is coupled to each local controller to provide three modes of lighting and HVAC equipment control. The inventive method of using the system includes controlling selectively individual ones of the zone controllers to provide three modes of operation an OCCUPIED mode, a STANDBY mode, and an UNOCCUPIED mode where the time period for each mode is adjustable either locally from the zone or remotely from a remote console.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for helping to minimize energy utilization within a given area comprising: generating a detection signal indicative of motion within the given area;   activating a timer to help control energy utilization within the given area, said timer having a time out period;   enabling energy utilization within the given area in response to said detection signal;   disabling energy utilized within the given area when said time out period has elapsed;   using a zone controller for facilitating respective scheduled and unscheduled energy utilization within the area;   scheduling energy requirements within the given area;   enabling a service operator to change scheduled energy requirements within the given area remotely; and   programming said timer to a specific programmable time out period to facilitate scheduled and unscheduled energy requirements within the given area.   
     
     
       2. In an environmental control system having conditioning means in fluid communication with a source of primary cooling and for controlling the air conditioning requirements of at least one zone within a facility, and lighting means for supplying artificial light within the zone, an energy conservation arrangement comprising: means for generating a detection signal indicative of the presence of an occupant within the zone;   microprocessor controller means for enabling energy utilization within the zone in response to said detection signal and for disabling energy utilization within the zone in the absence of said detection signal for a given period of time;   said microprocessor controller means including zone controller means for facilitating respective scheduled and unscheduled air conditioning and lighting requirements within the zone, and remote controller means for enabling a service operator to change scheduled energy requirements within the zone remotely; and   programmable retriggerable time out means having a programmable time out period, said programmable retriggerable time out means being responsive to said detection signal for causing said microprocessor controller means to control the air conditioning requirements of the zone and the lighting means to help optimize energy conservation within the zone during scheduled and unscheduled occupant activity within the zone; and   wherein said given period of time is said programmable time out period.   
     
     
       3. In an environmental control system according to claim 2, further comprising: override control means for overriding scheduled air conditioning and lighting requirements for a predetermined override period of time in the zone;   conductor means for helping to couple said remote controller means to said override control means; and   means for mounting said override control means in close proximity to an associated small zone for facilitating override of the scheduled air conditioning and lighting requirements of the associated zone.   
     
     
       4. In an environmental control system according to claim 3, wherein said means for enabling includes a control console for helping the service operator to schedule the air conditioning and lighting requirements for a plurality of small zones. 
     
     
       5. In an environmental control system according to claim 4 wherein said override control means includes device means coupled to said remote controller means for changing scheduled air conditioning and lighting requirements. 
     
     
       6. In an environmental control system according to claim 5, wherein said device means includes switch means for actuating unscheduled lighting requirements within the associated zone. 
     
     
       7. In an environmental control system according to claim 6, wherein said override means further includes tool means for activating unscheduled air conditioning and lighting requirements within the associated zone. 
     
     
       8. In an environmental control system according to claim 7, wherein said tool means is computer means. 
     
     
       9. A control arrangement for helping to minimize energy utilization within a given area, comprising: means for generating a detection signal indicative of motion within a given area;   retriggerable time out means to help control energy utilization within the given area, said time out means having a time-out period; and   microprocessor controller means for enabling energy utilization within the given area in response to said detection signal and for disabling energy utilization within the given area when said time out period has elapsed;   wherein said microprocessor controller means includes zone controller means for facilitating respective scheduled and unscheduled energy requirements within the area;   remote controller means for scheduling energy requirements within the area;   wherein said remote controller means includes means for enabling a service operator to change scheduled energy requirements within the area remotely; and   wherein said retriggerable time out means is programmable retriggerable time out means having a programmable time out period.   
     
     
       10. A control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said means for generating a detection signal is motion sensor means. 
     
     
       11. A control arrangement according to claim 10, wherein said motion sensor means is infrared sensor means. 
     
     
       12. A control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said programmable time out period is programmable to a specific period of time between about one second and about two hundred and fifty five minutes. 
     
     
       13. A control arrangement according to claim 12, further comprising: adjustment means for changing said specific period of time to another specific period of time between about one second and about two hundred and fifty five minutes.   
     
     
       14. A control arrangement according to claim 13, wherein adjustment means is portable adjustment means adapted to be carried by said service operator. 
     
     
       15. A control arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said adjustment means includes keypad means for entering information into said controller means and liquid crystal display means for enabling said service operator to visualize images indicative of the information entered via said keypad means. 
     
     
       16. A control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said means for enabling a personal computer means. 
     
     
       17. A control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said programmable time out period is programmable to a specific period of time. 
     
     
       18. A control arrangement according to claim 17, further comprising: adjustment means for changing said specific period of time.   
     
     
       19. A control arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said adjustment means is portable adjustment means adapted to be carried by said service operator. 
     
     
       20. A control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said time-out period is reset to a new begin time out condition substantially instantaneously whenever said detection signal is generated. 
     
     
       21. A control arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said programmable time out period is a substantially long period of time during scheduled periods of occupancy in said given area and is a substantially short period of time during scheduled periods of unoccupancy in said given area.